BAMBOO > THE WORLD OF BAMBOO

Bamboo is a group of tall arborescent grasses, play an important role in the

economy of the world. In the areas of their preponderance, bamboo is intimately
linked with the socio- economic development of the rural communities. The
importance of Bamboo as an Eco-friendly raw material capable of meeting
multifarious needs of the people at large is gaining global acceptance. From a
raw material known as the � poor man�s timber� bamboo is currently being
elevated to the status of �the timber of the 21st century� and from �poor man
timer to common man timber�.

So varied is bamboo�s application that one finds its utilization on a massive

scale today in environment protection, as a nutrient food, high-value
construction material and also in about 1,500 other listed applications. Experts
working in the field of bamboo are of the opinion that the full potential of this
raw material still remains to be understood or tapped.

From its all-pervading dominance in the agrarian economies of the East during
the middle ages and the subsequent oblivion in the 19th and 20th centuries,
bamboo is once again emerging as a much sought after material in the hi-tech
world of the 21st century.

It is estimated that about 2.5 billion people use bamboo in one form or the other
at the global level. The annual turnover is estimated around US $ 10 billion
(Rs.50,000 crores) and this is estimated to shoot up to USD 20 billion by in
2015. Advanced research activities are conducted to utilize bamboo for efficient
fuel generating system.

Networks like the International Network for Bamboo and rattan (INBAR) are
functioning at the international level. The Govt. of India is a signatory to this
network. At the global level, primary processing and product manufacturing is
shifting to a highly mechanized mode.
Bamboo in india

India, having about 136 species, has the world�s richest resources of bamboos.
Bamboo has been associated with people since ancient times. Being a natural
gift to the mankind, bamboo is very popular due to its multi purpose use, fast
growth, easy propagation, soil binding properties and short gestation period as
compared to trees. Every part of bamboo is utilized in one-way or the other. It
has a high calorific value of 4600 to 5400 cal/kg., which makes it an energy
crop. Rural and urban people use it for a variety of purposes. Bamboo provides
basic necessities of life i.e. fuel, food, shelter and clothing, particularly to the
rural people and is also a source of raw material for cottage, small and medium
scale industries. Keeping in view its versatile uses, the potential of bamboo can
be harnessed for the service of the poor and for eradication of poverty.
Cultivation of bamboo can reduce pressure of fuel, fodder and small timber from
forest areas.

In India 136 species of bamboos in 36 genera are found to exist. The North East
India holds the largest stock and diversity of bamboos. Next to the N.E., the
Western ghats area has the second largest diversity of bamboos.

Though India has the largest area under bamboo which is estimated around 9.6
million hectares, the yield per ha is estimated around 0.4 tonnes, which is very
low in comparison to other countries like China, Malaysia, Costa Rica etc.

It is estimated that 8 million bamboo artisans are depended on this craft for
their livelihood. The annual turnover of the bamboo sector in India is estimated
to be around Rs. 2400 crores. By and large, this is a totally unorganized sector
and bamboo has always been considered from the craft point of view and if
otherwise for pulp making only.

This craft has been practiced by the North Eastern States for centuries as their
prime income source and, in the process, the weaving skills of the artisans had
evolved to levels comparable with the craftsperson from more affluent societies
like Japan, China etc. though the product diversity still remains undeveloped.